LEG NEWS: Colorado - Bill that would have blocked implementation of autism insurance law killed in committee

On February 4, 2010, a bill in the Colorado General Assembly (HB10-1154)  that would have blocked the July 1, 2010 implementation of of the law mandating health insurance coverage of autism spectrum by passage of 2009 Senate Bill 09-244  was postponed indefinitely in the Colorado House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs  by a 6-5 vote.

This postponement allows SB 09-244/C.R.S. 10-16-104 to proceed to implementation to cover autism treatment, including applied behavior analysis, on July 1 as originally specified.

Among those reporting as having submitted testimony against HB10-1154 was David Hatfield, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Current Director of the Colorado Coalition of Autism Professionals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Colorado Coalition of Autism Professionals (COCAP)

Autism Votes - Colorado - FAQs

Report on events in Colorado from the Four Corners ABA newsletter,volume 1, No.1
Travis Blevins, MS, BCBA and David Hatfield, PH.D., BCBA‐D, Licensed Clinical
Psychologist

Autism Society of Colorado legislation page with information on
2009 SB 09-244: Concerning Health Insurance Benefits for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Votes - Colorado

"Timeout" proposal dies; what next?
Friday, February 5, 2010, 4:47pm MST

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

NEWS: Federal H.R. 2688: Empowered at Home Act would assist home and community-based services for disabilities

On June 3, 2009, H.R. 2688, the Empowered at Home Act of 2009, was introduced in the U.S. House and has been sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (Chairman: Rep. Henry Waxman).

Federal News Long Term Services and Supports

"Representatives Frank Pallone [Jr.] (D-NJ) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced the Empowered at Home Act [of 2009], H.R 2688. This bill would remove barriers to providing home and community-based services (HCBS) under the Medicaid State plan amendment option for individuals in need by
1) increasing the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP);
2) revising the income eligibility to up to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit rate; and
3) giving states the option to provide HCBS waiver services to prevent, delay, or decrease the likelihood of institutionalized care."

From the Capitol Insider, Volume 14, Issue 22, June 8, 2009
Disability Collaboration: A Partnership of The Arc & United Cerebral Palsy
To sign up for the Capitol Insider

Open Congress tracking on HR 2688


Other blog posts on HR 2688,

HR2688, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve ...
HR 2688 would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program....

Source: Washingtonwatch.com

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

June 02, 2009 H.R. 2688: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ...
A bill inthe US Congress: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program, and for other purposes.

Source: Active Legislation -- Tracked by GovTrack.us

Did you find this article useful? Your opinion counts - together, we're finding the very best news and blog coverage about Congress available on the web.

Other resources:

• The Clearinghouse for Home and Community Based Services
• Technical Summary of Medicaid Program General Information
• Title XIX of the Social Security Act

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website,

Introduction to the PIBA-SIG Blog

Greetings,
This is the future home of the Blog of the Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group (PIBA-SIG) of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Our plan is to post news items and comment pieces on legislation and other matters related to the practice of behavior analysis, of interest to practitioners and within the mission of the PIBA-SIG. As a Special Interest Group, while under the umbrella of ABA International, the PIBA-SIG does not represent official policy of ABA International, and is rather, an interested group of members engaged in highlighting external and internal events relevant to the practice and profession of behavior analysis, engaging in discussion of these, and working on projects with an eye to assisting and collaborating with other SIGs and the larger organization in its goals for meeting the needs of practioners and establishment of behavior analysis as a profession.

Our Mission

As applied behavior analysis forms into a profession it is logically developing challenges uniquely related to the practice of behavior analysis in systems such as education, mental health, manufacturing, social services, and developmental disabilities. This SIG is dedicated to the establishment of behavior analysis as a unique clinical practice. We support federal, local and state initiatives including but not limited to the licensing of behavior analysis

While we're setting up our blog, we would like to direct your attention to the links in the sidebar to the description of the PIBA SIG at ABA International, our website, the Practice Resources within ABA International, and our related discussion group at Yahoo!, where we invite interested members of ABA International who are in clinical practice, organizational behavior management, or social services, consumers of those services and/or interested in policymaking and professional licensure to join the group and become members.

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org